New Years Resolution

So...it is that time of year again.  You know what I am talking about.  That time where we sit down and take a look at what we have done and what we really want to do and then either succumb to depression or get fired up to change.  Yep, it is time for those New Years Resolutions!

Why does January do this to us?  Why not June or July?  What is it about the clearly defined fresh start of the new year?  Maybe it is a result of our overindulgence at the holidays that makes us revisit that waistline one more time, or the turmoil of family gatherings that spurs us to want to have better relationships or the overspending on gifts that makes us realize we have GOT to get our finances under control.  Whatever it is, the time is upon us and there is no use putting it off any longer.

Here goes.  I too want this year to be different...better...more purposeful.  So I am making my resolution and putting it on here for all to see (or at least the two of you who actually read these). ;)  I am only choosing one and you will soon see why.  My New Year Resolution is...Matthew 6:33, "Seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well."  I'd say that pretty much covers everything else.

I figure if I choose the one thing that Mary did, I can expect God to do so much more (Ephesians 3:2021).  For it is God who works in us to both will and to act (Phil. 2:13).  I am confident, because God is faithful.  Malachi tells us that God asks to be tested according to his promises and Isaiah tells us that God has said He will be found if we seek Him with our whole heart.  So, as I seek Him, I wait in wonder at what God has planned for this coming year. 

Maybe that is why we like the new year so much...it is a clean slate just waiting for us to fill it with adventure and wonder!

What Is The Soundtrack To Your Life?

Have you ever muted the sound on a movie?  My husband does this for me if the movie is getting too scary, because once the music is muted, it is not nearly so scary.  The power of music is amazing!  Driving in the car the other night, I was singing along to a CD and feeling so inspired by the songs.  Whenever I listen to music like this, a feeling rises up in me, as if I can conquer the world!  But alas, the music ends and life returns to its humdrum pace.  I realized I need a soundtrack for my life!  If only the music could continue to play as I went about my days...think of what I could accomplish! 

But here is the thing...as much as people do try to do this (with their ear buds in all the time), it just isn't workable.  We won't all want or need the same song and going around listening to our own ear buds all the time seriously limits our interaction with one another.  And the point of being inspired is to help others.  So what are we to do?

Well, the Holy Spirit was quick to help me realize that we already have a soundtrack, of sorts, going all the time.  It is called our thoughts.  We live according to the negative or positive track of thoughts that continually play in our minds.  And there is hope, because this soundtrack can be rerecorded!  Yes, we can choose what we think on and we are commanded to think on that which is good (2 Cor. 10:5, Phil. 4:8).  As we meditate on God's Word, our "soundtrack" will inspire us and we will become more than conquerors through Christ! (Romans 8:37)

Praise be to God, who has thought of everything! :)

Snowflakes and DNA

As I look out my window I see snow covered hills.  Such a beautiful sight.  The clean, bright white against the barren, brown trees.  And though the big picture is beautiful, today I am more interested in the details; the detail in each and every flake that combine to make up the whole.  And I am reminded of what God has to say about His church.

Scientists have discovered with snow flakes and DNA what God already told us.  We are all unique; no two are the same.  Not only do we look different, but we are made up of different combinations of personality, talents and gifts.  We are all equal, but we are not all the same.

I grew up in a place where it doesn't snow much and though it sure makes it nicer to get around, the dusting of snow they get sure isn't as pretty as the foot of snow were I live now.  You can't sled or build a snowman in a dusting; neither does it cover all the ground to make a blanket of white.  Individually we are like tiny snowflakes.  We are but a dusting, a part of the whole.  We are still fearfully and wonderfully made, a life to be celebrated, but our function is limited.  However, when we all get together and we are each who God created us to be, we can be of great use and a lot of fun!

So..."let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)